302 THE CULTURE OP FLOWERING BULBS 



a brisk bottom heat, and give plenty of water of the proper tempera- 

 ture. The forcing should not begin until the plants are sufficiently 

 advanced, or it will injure them both in size and colour. Weak 

 manure water will be beneficial occasionally, but when the flowers 

 begin to open this must be discontinued, and at the same time the 

 heat should be diminished. 



A succession of Narcissi for indoor decoration can be secured 

 by starting batches at intervals of two or three weeks ; and by 

 moderating the treatment as the season advances, the last lot will 

 flower naturally without artificial stimulus. Large bulbs should be 

 potted singly, but several roots of the smaller sorts may be put into 

 one pot. Heavy heads of bloom will need support, and there is 

 nothing neater than the wires which are made expressly for the 

 purpose. 



CULTURE IN WATER. For growing in glasses no other bulbous 

 flower is equal to the Narcissus. Darkness at the outset is not 

 essential to it, and therefore the gradual development of the roots 

 may be observed from the time they start ; and contact with water 

 will do no harm to the bulb. The glasses should, however, be kept 

 in a low and fairly uniform temperature, to discourage the growth of 

 foliage until the bulbs have fully formed their roots. Pure rain water 

 is desirable, but it is not actually necessary ; and for the sake of 

 appearances, as well as on the score of health, it should be changed 

 immediately it ceases to be quite transparent. Those who do not 

 care to observe the growth in glasses, but like to have the plants in 

 water during the blooming period, may grow the bulbs in pots in the 

 usual way, and wash off the soil when wanted. In this case the roots 

 will not be quite so regular as those which have been wholly grown 

 in water. Perhaps we need scarcely say that it is possible to utilise 

 this flower in many other ways ; such, for instance, as in decorating 

 epergnes, glass globes, and fancy vases. They may also be made to 

 float on a small fountain or aquarium ; indeed, it is surprising to 

 what varied and effective purposes a little ingenuity will adapt them. 



CULTURE IN OPEN GROUND. For this purpose the Narcissus 

 will always command attention for its graceful appearance ; and this 

 observation applies with as much force to the Polyanthus section 

 when thus used, as to the varieties which are specially recognised as 

 Garden Narcissus. The latter class includes many old favourites, 

 among which is the Pheasant's Eye one of the most exquisite flowers 

 grown in our gardens. 



We may at once admit that the Narcissus does not alone make a 



